Fundraiser to help with boy's surgery
By Staff Reports
Jul 25, 2014, 13:39

Jaxon

COLONIAL HEIGHTS — A big fundraiser is set for next week to help pay for a medical procedure for a little boy struggling with a very rare eye disease.

The Glow at Night for Jaxon’s Fight 5K Walk will be held Wednesday, July 30, at White Bank Park in Colonial Heights.

Jaxon has been battling Coats’ Disease for 2 1/2 years. The disease results in abnormal development in the blood vessels behind the retina.

When he was first diagnosed, the doctor told his parents that he bet if they went back and looked at pictures taken with a flash that they would notice a glow in the affected eye.

His parents made it their goal to raise awareness. Over the past 2 1/2 years, they have done several events and raised $12,500 and donated it all to a nonprofit organization strictly for Coats’ Disease to help find a cure since there isn’t one currently.

Jaxon now has to undergo anesthesia for the 10th time to get fitted for a shell since his eye is shrinking. He has 20 percent more to grow and needs something in place to help his face grow properly.

This event will help raise money for his medical costs for this procedure.

The Glow at Night for Jaxon’s Fight aims to spread awareness about Coats’ Disease. One of the detection signs of Coats’ Disease is a glow-like appearance in the eye from using flash photography. While Coats’ Disease is rare, a glow can also detect up to 15 other eye-related disorders, including cancer. For more information, visit knowtheglow.com.

For the 5K, there will be contests for the person and child who glows the most. There will also be a contest for the stroller/wagon that glows the most.

Kids under 12 do not have to pay to walk. There will be T-shirts and extra glow items for sale. There will also be glow-in-the-dark face painting.

The 5K walk starts at 8:30 p.m. but registration and activities will begin at 7 p.m. The cost is $20 per person. Couples are $35. Packet includes one T-shirt and glow item per participant. You can also register in advance at Tutu Cute, 117C Orange Ave., Colonial Heights.

The event is hosted by Potter Baseball. Potter Baseball engages kids, families, schools and communities through a love of baseball and other youth sports. For information, visit jeffpotterbaseball.com.

The same day, there will also be a Pitch and Put Contest. Jaxon loves to golf so they are creating a golf course behind Tussing Elementary from 4 to 7 p.m. Bring your clubs and see if you can beat Jaxon. This will not be your ordinary golf course and balls. There is the challenge from using tennis balls, wiffle balls, etc.